Sarpapattu

Also known as Sarpamthullal or snake dance is performed in shrines and temples devoted to Nagaraja, the king of serpents. It is performed by women belonging to the Pulluvar caste. A decorated pandal is erected and a sarpakalam that is snake designs drawn on the floor with colour powder drawn. The women dance in a frenzy to the rhythm of the sarpapattu until they exhaust and fall down. Pulluvakudam, a stringed instrument, is the percussion instrument engaged during the performance. The Pooja performed by the pulluvas is the Kalamezhthu and Sarpampattu. After the initial step of making the colourful Nagakalam or sarpakalam pooja for Lord Ganapathy and Sreelekshmi together with ‘Noorumpalum’ are offered. In some parts of the state Sarpamthullal is also performed by boys and girls. These boys and girls undergo strict penance by the names of Nagaraja, Nagaramma and Nagakanya and are placed symbolically in the Nagakalam. After that the holy songs praising the Naga deities are sung by the Pulluvas so as to get the blessings. As the songs attain the climax of their devotion these boys and girls start doing the Sarpamthullal or they dance as if they were Nagas. The ritual ends when they distort the ‘Nagakalam’ using the inflorescence of the arecanut palm and bless the devotees.

Related Topics
Folk Art Forms   Theyyam   Kalampattu   Kunhi Theyyam   Kaliyoottu   Kavadiyattam   Kummattikali   Kuthiyottam   Thidampunrittam   Mayilnrittam   Padayani   Pulikali   Margamkali   Cherumarkali   Mudiyettu   Arjuna Nritham   Kannyarkali   Theeyattu   Paana   Tholpavakoothu